Fencing Options for Your Fencing Options for Your Grazing SystemGrazing System

2011 Georgia Grazing School2011 Georgia Grazing School

John W. WorleyJohn W. Worley

Fencing SystemsFencing SystemsPlan the system before buildingPlan the system before building

Choose the right materialsChoose the right materials

Use the right construction techniquesUse the right construction techniques

Don’t let a “temporary fence” turn into a Don’t let a “temporary fence” turn into a high maintenance permanent fencehigh maintenance permanent fence

Types of FencesTypes of FencesField Fence (Page wire, hog wire, woven Field Fence (Page wire, hog wire, woven wire) w/ barbed wire at top wire) w/ barbed wire at top – Perimeter and baby calf areasPerimeter and baby calf areas

Types of FencesTypes of FencesBarbed wireBarbed wire– Where electric doesn’t work wellWhere electric doesn’t work well

Types of FencesTypes of FencesElectric (Note vinyl coated wire)Electric (Note vinyl coated wire)

Wire TypesWire Types

Steel (Standard or Steel (Standard or High TensileHigh Tensile))– Single, barbed, wovenSingle, barbed, woven

Galvanizing (Class I or Galvanizing (Class I or Class IIIClass III))

Vinyl Coated (including conductive)Vinyl Coated (including conductive)

Electric Tapes and RopesElectric Tapes and Ropes– TemporaryTemporary– PermanentPermanent

Post TypesPost Types

WoodWood– Treated (at least 0.6 lb/ftTreated (at least 0.6 lb/ft33))– CCA replaced by ACQCCA replaced by ACQ– Untreated (Landscape Timbers are untreated Untreated (Landscape Timbers are untreated

or lightly treated)or lightly treated)

Steel (Painted and Galvanized)Steel (Painted and Galvanized)Plastic (Temporary electric)Plastic (Temporary electric)FiberglassFiberglass– Sucker Rod (High Density FG)Sucker Rod (High Density FG)

MaterialsMaterials

Perimeter FencingPerimeter Fencing– Recommend High Tensile, Class III Recommend High Tensile, Class III

galvanized wiregalvanized wire– Galvanized Steel or Treated Wood PostsGalvanized Steel or Treated Wood Posts– Class III galv. staples (1 ¾”)Class III galv. staples (1 ¾”)

Cross FencingCross Fencing– If truly temporary, use plastic posts and If truly temporary, use plastic posts and

electric rope or tapeelectric rope or tape

Components with Similar LivesComponents with Similar Lives

Painted Posts with Class III Painted Posts with Class III galvanized wiregalvanized wire

How Long Will It Last?How Long Will It Last?Painted Posts with Class III Painted Posts with Class III galvanized wiregalvanized wire

How Long Will It Last?How Long Will It Last?Galvanized Posts with Class I Galvanized Posts with Class I galvanized wiregalvanized wire

How Long Will It Last?How Long Will It Last?Galvanized Posts with Class I Galvanized Posts with Class I galvanized wiregalvanized wire

How Long Will It Last?How Long Will It Last?

Painted Posts, Class I woven Painted Posts, Class I woven wire, Class III barbed wirewire, Class III barbed wire

Fence ChargersFence Chargers(Controllers, Energizers)(Controllers, Energizers)

Mile rating is not a good indicatorMile rating is not a good indicator

Look for ratings at different loads Look for ratings at different loads (ohms)(ohms)– 50,000 ohms (fence in good condition)50,000 ohms (fence in good condition)– 5,000 ohms5,000 ohms– 500 ohms500 ohms– 100 ohms (fence in poor condition)100 ohms (fence in poor condition)

At least 1000 volts @100 ohmsAt least 1000 volts @100 ohms

Cost per MileCost per Mile

0

2000

4000

6000

8000

10000

$/Mile

Woven Wire

Barbed Wire

Electric

BRACESBRACESand and

INSTALLATIONINSTALLATION

H BraceH BraceStrongest BraceStrongest Brace

Top member 2 to Top member 2 to 2 1/2 x height of 2 1/2 x height of fencefence

Pinning BracesPinning Braces

Min. 3 ft.

Min. 8 ft.

Pinning BracesPinning Braces

3/8” Galvanized Rod3/8” Galvanized Rod

Installing Brace WireInstalling Brace WireAllow wires to slipAllow wires to slip

Installing Brace WireInstalling Brace WireTensioning the wire braceTensioning the wire brace

Dead-Man BraceDead-Man Brace

Need Larger PostNeed Larger Post

Not as StrongNot as Strong

Easier to BuildEasier to Build

Stapling TechniqueStapling Technique

Leave Wire LooseLeave Wire Loose

Only Horizontal WiresOnly Horizontal Wires

Rotate from Vertical Rotate from Vertical (Rotate away from (Rotate away from slashes)slashes)– Right for right-handed Right for right-handed

staplesstaples– Left for left-handedLeft for left-handed

1 3/4” Galvanized Staples1 3/4” Galvanized Staples

Post InstallationPost Installation

Driven wooden posts are strongerDriven wooden posts are stronger

Drive Small End DownDrive Small End Down

Post InstallationPost InstallationProper Tamping ProcedureProper Tamping Procedure

Electric Fence GroundingElectric Fence GroundingProper grounding of charger is vitalProper grounding of charger is vital– 3 or more 8-ft rods3 or more 8-ft rods– 10 ft apart10 ft apart– Separate from other electrical groundsSeparate from other electrical grounds– Drive and attach underground to prevent mower Drive and attach underground to prevent mower

damagedamage– Never Concrete OverNever Concrete Over

Ground Alternate WiresGround Alternate Wires

Lightning ProtectionLightning Protection

Good grounding is essentialGood grounding is essential

Nothing is “Lightning Proof”Nothing is “Lightning Proof”

Use devices sold by charger Use devices sold by charger manufacturer to maintain warrantymanufacturer to maintain warranty

Lightning ProtectionLightning Protection““Choke” and “Lightning Arrestor”Choke” and “Lightning Arrestor”

Separate (Better) Grounding SystemSeparate (Better) Grounding System

Protect Source side as well as fence sideProtect Source side as well as fence side

Energizer

EnergizerGround

LightningArrestor

Lightning Ground

Choke

Cut-outSwitch

10-ft apart 10-ft apart

At least50 ft

8-ft Rods

Protection at Power Source

QUESTIONS ?QUESTIONS ?

jworley@uga.edu